🇪🇸 How to say

“to tell” in Spanish

decir
Illustration of "to tell" in a Spanish cultural setting
A mother leans down to her child at the breakfast table, pointing to a bowl of cereal as she explains what they'll do today. Her lips are parted mid-sentence, sharing simple plans for their daily routine.

Usage note

Use 'decir' for both 'to say' and 'to tell' in everyday situations—it's the most common verb for sharing information or speaking words aloud, fitting naturally into daily conversations.

Examples

  • Ella dice 'hola' cada mañana.

    She says 'hello' every morning.

  • Mi papá me dice la hora.

    My dad tells me the time.

  • Decimos 'gracias' después de comer.

    We say 'thank you' after eating.

Quick check

What does "decir" mean?

  • A. to tell
  • B. to feel
  • C. to say
  • D. to use

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